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Safety Landon Collins set to have expanded role on Alabama defense

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Alabama defensive back Landon Collins (26) runs after a catch in DB drills during the Crimson Tide's 17th 2013 Season Spring football practice, Thursday, August 15, 2013, at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- His arrival at Alabama was as well-documented as any during the Nick Saban era, but Landon Collins' freshman season didn't follow with the same number of headline-worthy moments.

And that's OK, Saban said after Thursday's practice. Collins did just fine during his first year with the Crimson Tide -- even if he was humming off the radar a bit.

The five-star safety from Geismar, La., whose mother infamously said her son should attend LSU when he committed to Alabama on national TV, didn't see the field much when the game was still in balance, but he proved to be one of the Crimson Tide's most valuable special teams players. He was named a special teams player of the week by Alabama's coaches twice during his freshman campaign and finished the year with 17 tackles.

"Landon is an outstanding player," Saban said. "He’s an outstanding special teams
player."

He'll be more than that in 2013, Saban said.

Collins has been working as the first-team "Money" defensive back when Alabama plays out of its dime defense. He's also in the mix to see first-team repetitions at safety behind HaHa Clinton-Dix and Vinnie Sunseri.

"I think
sometimes guys get a little frustrated that they don’t learn fast
enough, because they really want to be good, they put a lot of pressure
on themselves to be good. And Landon’s that way, which are all good
qualities," Saban said. "Now, he probably is comfortable and confident in what he’s
supposed to do. And he has played really well, especially this fall
camp.

"He’s definitely going to have a role in dime situations for us
this year and is in competition at safety as well. I think he’s one of
our best safeties as well."

Collins' back-up at "Money" and fellow second-team safety Nick Perry has had a front seat to watch the sophomore's development. "Big hitter" was one of the first phrases that came out of Perry's mouth when he described Collins.

"He's fast. He's strong. He's really what you
want at safety," Perry said. "He's your prototypical safety, and I really can't wait
to see what he can do on the field this year."

"Landon's the type of guy that comes in day in and day out," Belue said. "The only
thing you can expect from him is 110 percent because he's going to bring
it every practice. He's looking really great out there."